Rafael Nadal Undisputed King of Clay

Written by: Staff on 19th May 2013

Rafael Nadal Undisputed King of Clay

epa03706353 Spanish tennis player Rafael Nadal celebrates after beating Czech Republic's Tomas Berdych in their semi final match of the Italian Open tennis tournament at Foro Italico in Rome, Italy, 18 May 2013. EPA/ETTORE FERRARI |

Rafael Nadal blew Roger Federer off the court. You kind of wonder what the outcome would have been if it was still a 3 out of 5 set final . Would Rafael had won in an hour and a half ? Would Roger who we know likes 3 out of 5 settled into the match ? Would Roger have found his timing or lost his nerves ? We won’t know. But one things for certain. Rafael did no stalling today. He played like Agassi. Fast. Fast. Fast. One point to another. It’s a steam roll when Agassi would do it we would call it the “A train ” came thru ,or the “AA” train .
The first set was over in a blink. It was less than a half an hour. The first serve percentages are really interesting. For the most part you’d like that number to be not less than 60 percent .. Maybe 65. But the guys really flip flopped on those numbers. First set Roger had an 82 percent and Rafa had 64 percent. Ok. Second set Rafa went up to 79 but Rogers dropped to 39 percent. Yikes. Did one of the twins keep Rogi up all night ? Was it words with Mirka ? The haircut ? What ? Too much gelato ? He rarely sweats much but today his light green shirt was wet. Front and back but he never changed it. Was it nerves that causes extra sweating. Was it his back ? Was his back strapped or wrapped ? Whatever it was we are not sure but for sure it was something. Rafael deserves the win. He earned it. It was just a totally disappointing match up between 2 great players , 2 great Champions, 2 great Nike players .